A career in medicine is
being considered to be among the most lucrative and prestigious
careers in modern times. Apart from being lucrative, the career
also offers immense growth opportunities and a high degree
of job satisfaction.

A doctor's profession involves
a lot of hard work and at the same time, it brings alongwith
it the satisfaction of having cured patients and of having
alleviated pain and suffering. Doctors all over the world
are treated with great respect and the scope and prospects
in the medical field are always bright.

Since the field
of medicines is very extensive, specialization is very important.
Alongwith specialization comes precision and that is where
modern technology comes into picture. While an MBBS degree
prepares a candidate for practice, it is not sufficient for
providing specialist treament to patients. A three-year MD/MS
course in any area of specialization is therefore essential.

General Physician:

Doctors possessing an MBBS
degree, with no particular specialization, can work as General
physicians. The work of a general physician would be to make
a general assessment of the disease and if beyond control
of him, should refer it to some specialised doctor. But a
MD degree in General medicine provides a specialised training
in a particular area of medicine.

General Surgery:

A specialisation in General
surgery also requires a three year specialised course after
MBBS. General surgeons are taught surgery for all organs of
the human body. They can also opt for specialisation indifferent
fields of surgery including orthopedic surgery, plastic neurosurgery,
cardiotheratic surgery and other such fields. Surgeons also
diagnose and treat injuries, diseases and disorders of the
human body, by prescribing medicines or surgical operations.
To qualify as a general surgeon an MBBS degree, followed by
a three-year MS course is essential.

Specialised Areas:

Pediatrics:

This branch of medicine
deals mainly with children, right from newborns to
adolescents.

Cardiology:

It is a specialised area
of heart care.

Obstetrics and Gynecology:

Obstetricians and gynecologist
treat, females reproductive age disorders of all age
groups.

Neurology:

A Neurologist specializes
in diseases and disorders related to the human brain.

Dermatology:

A Dermatologist deals with
the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin,
and related problems.

Ophthalmology:

Ophthalmologists are eye
specialists who diagnose and conduct treatment for
the diseases of the human eye and its related parts.

Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist
(ENT):

ENT specialist's deals with
the diseases of the ear, nose and throat.

Selection Process:

Candidates who have cleared
the 10+2 examination, with a background in science, are eligible
for the MBBS course. However, they have to go through an entrance
examination to qualify. It includes an all-India entrance
examination, which admit students on an all India basis.

The Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE) conducts an all-India entrance examination
for admission to the MBBS/BDS course, against 15% of the total
seats in all medical/dental colleges run by the Union of India,
state governments and other local bodies.

Candidates having an MBBS
degree are eligible for taking the entrance examinations for
admission to the specialised MD/MS courses. They should also
have completed one year's job prior to their admission to
a post-graduate degree/diploma course.

Duration:

The MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine
and Bachelor of Surgery) course is of five and half year's
duration, which includes four and a half years of classroom
study and practical, followed by one year of internship. Secondly,
the specialised MD/MS courses are genially of three year's
duration. Diploma course is also available and the minimum
duration for the diploma course is 12 months, after full registration
with the State Medical Council.

Academic Course:

The academic courses for MBBS includes
subjects like anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology,
pathology, pharmacology, ENT, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics,
orthopedics as well as preventive and social medicines. The
entire course of MBBS programmer is divided into three phases
of eighteen months each. This is followed by compulsory rotating
internship for a year's duration.

The MBBS degree is granted to students
only after successful completion of the medical syllabus,
along with one year of rotation internship. After obtaining
the MBBS degree, candidates are required to register themselves
with the State Medical Council, in order to become a qualified
physician.

Job Prospects:

Hospitals and dispensaries are spread
all over the country. Doctors can seek employment in government
hospitals and dispensaries, primary health centers and clinics.
Recruitment for these jobs are conducted by the UPSC and the
State Public Service Commission.

Employment is also available for doctors
in private nursing homes and polyclinics. General parishioners
as well as specialists can also set up their own private clinics,
independently or in partnership with specialists in other
fields of medicine.

Medical Services or the army, navy and
air force under the Ministry of Defense, offer excellent employment
opportunities to doctors as well as other paramedical personnel.
Doctors in the Armed Forces are taken on as Commissioned Officers.

Remuneration:

The medical profession is lucrative
for private practitioners. Doctors can have jobs with high
emoluments, and at the same time, continue their private practice.
The approximate initial remuneration in the government sector
varies between Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 per month. However, private
practitioners can earn a lot of money once their practice
gets established.